Last updated on [01/18/07]

Research Scientists or Technicians in Gene Delivery to Pancreatic Islets

Research Scientist or Technician position is available immediately for an outstanding candidate with undergraduate and master degrees in Biology or Immunology or related subjects. We have a multidisciplinary program on Nucleic Acid (oligonucleotides, siRNA and gene) Delivery to Pancreatic Islets for Improved Islet Transplantation, and to Hepatic Cells for Treatment of Hepatitis and Liver Fibrosis. This scientist will work closely with the Principal Investigator (Ram I Mahato) and his graduate students for isolation and transfection of rat or human islets, ELISA, RT-PCR, western blot and protein assays. The successful candidate is expected to have good experience in the molecular and cellular biology techniques including PCR, RT-PCR, gene cloning, design and construction of gene expression vectors, and translational control of gene expression, immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, cell culture and transfection as well as in animal handling and islet isolation and transplantation.

Postdoctoral or Res. Asst. Position in Design of Gene Expression Vectors

Postdoctoral fellowship or Research Associate position is available immediately for an outstanding candidate with graduate degrees in Molecular or Cell Biology, with extensive experience in gene cloning, design and construction of gene expression vectors, and translational control of gene expression. We have a multidisciplinary program on Nonviral and Adenoviral Vectors for Therapeutic Gene Delivery to Human and Rat Pancreatic Islets for Improved Islet Transplantation. Our previous work (see Cheng et al. Gene Ther. 2004;11:1105-16; Narang et al. Pharm Res. 2004;21:15-25; Pharm Res 2006; 23: 1970-1982 and Pharmacol Rev. 2006, 58(2):194-243; Mahato et al. Mol Ther. 2003;7:89-100) demonstrated that therapeutic gene delivery to human can enhance islet viability and engraftment upon transplantation. The successful candidate is expected to construct and improve our existing adenoviral vectors hVEGF, hIL-1Ra and shRNA encoding adenoviral vectors and devise ways to enhance the levels and islet engraftment upon transplantation in diabetic mice. 

Postdoctoral or Res. Asst. Position in Polymer or Organic Chemistry

Postdoctoral fellowship or Research Associate position is available immediately for an outstanding candidate with graduate degrees in Polymer Science, Polymer Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, with extensive experience in carrier design, bioconjugation for delivery of oligonucleotides and siRNA. We have a multidisciplinary program on Delivery of  Oligonucleotides, siRNA and Genes for the Treatment of Diabetes and Liver Fibrosis. Our previous work (see Ye et al. Biochemistry 2005; 44(11):4466-76 and Bioconjug Chem. 2006, 17(3):823-30; Cheng et al. Mol. Pharm. 2005; 2(3):206-17 and J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2006, 317(2):797-805) demonstrated that triplex forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) can delivered to hepatic stellate cells and inhibit liver fibrosis. The successful candidate is expected to design and synthesize polymeric and lipid carriers for delivery of oligonucleotides and siRNA for treatment of liver fibrosis and diabetes.  

PhD Studentships in Proteins and Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics

Our research involves in the following distinct arena: (i) design and synthesis of novel biomaterials for nucleic acid (oligonucleotides, siRNA and genes) delivery, (2) design and construction of novel gene expression vectors, (iii) formulation and in vitro characterization of nucleic acid delivery systems to various disease targets, (iv) mechanisms of cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of nucleic acid drugs, and (v) cytokine-based cancer gene therapy. How the components of a viable gene expression system would influence the disease state by controlling gene regulation, transcription, translation and replication are the central theme of our research. We are looking for highly motivated Ph.D. candidates, who should possess B.S. and M.S. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Organic Chemistry, Bioengineering or Chemical Engineering to work on one of the above topics for their Ph.D. at the University of Tennessee, Memphis in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Our PhD stipend is $19,500/year and there is a waver of tuition fees.